Lady Roisin Melville is nineteen and her mother believes it is time she enter London’s society. As the daughter of the late Earl of Kinsale, it would be his wish for her to experience a wider social world.

Ewan Hamilton is not your ordinary highwayman. For one, he prefers to wear a mask and for two, the rugged man has his own little secret that he hopes to keep from Lady Roisin.

Roisin wishes she had not listened to her mother and stayed home. She would rather have stayed home riding and hunting with her three brothers. Now she is waiting to go visit her aunt and uncle but thoughts of running away enter her mind and in a quick instant, she decides to leave. Her carriage is soon robbed by a masked highwayman. She has no idea what men like to do to their captives. After the highwayman tries to take her purse, she grabs for her gun and shoots him. He says his name is Ewan Hamilton and wonders what kind of father would allow his daughter to travel alone. When she tries to flee, he is more powerful and the last thing she remembers is pitch dark. Roisin is worn, torn and rather dirty when she finally manages to escape and arrive at her aunt’s home. She does not know which makes her madder, leaving home, being robbed or sharing a kiss with the masked man. She learns he has been captured and will be hanged. Why does he affect her so? But it appears she will not get her chance to find out when the hanging takes place. To further her dilemma, she is coerced into a marriage with a James Westhaven because her family has money. Roisin is confused by the whole ordeal but what is most unusual is there is something very familiar about James Westhaven.

The Rogues Kiss is a charming read. The dialogue is fresh, tight and engaging, and the characters delightful. The chemistry simmers as soon as Ewan and Roisin meet on the highway. The reader gets a feel for his compassionate side and falls in love with him. Their emotions take flight, and more so for Roisin, as she seems torn in many directions. I like the way the characters battle for their feelings while building their relationship. Emily Bascom has created a lovely read that carries the reader into an age that captivates the audience. She sketches a beautiful tale with grace, sophistication and a bit of intrigue to keep the reader enthralled.

Cherokee
Reviewer for Coffee Time Romance
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